Horizontal honing machine



June 17, 1941.

A. M. JOHNSON HORIZONTAL HONING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .June 17, 1941. A. M. JOHNSON HORIZONTAL HONING MACHINE Filed Junel 16, 19:59

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 TTo @a Patented .inne i7, 1941 HORIZONTAL HONING MACHINE Albert M. Johnson, Rockford, lll., assignor to Balmes Drill Co., Rochord, Ill., a corporation oi Hlinois Application `iunelt, 1939, Serial No. 279,403

(Cl. 51-34) Y 15 Claims.

The invention relates to machines for dressing cylindrical surfaces by a honing or lapping process, and'more particularly to honing or lapping machines of the horizontal type.

Machines of the above general character are commonly employed in dressing work `pieces which, because of their relatively great length,

must be supported in a horizontal position during the operation which involves a relative rotation and simultaneous relative reciprocation of the work piece and an abrasive tool or hone. To eiect these relative movements, either the tool or the work may be reciprocated and either or both may be simultaneously rotated.

, For honing internal surfaces the honing tool is equipped with outwardly facing abrasive sticks adapted to be rubbed over the internal surface of the work piece. 'Ihe tool is accordingly mounted on one end of a spindle or driver at least as long as the work piece so that it can be traversed axially of the work piece from one end to the other by relative reciprocation of these elements. In the case of machines designed for operating on relatively long work pieces, it has been found desirable to provide auxiliary supporting means for supporting the tool driver at one or more intermediate points to prevent it from sagging by its own weight. Even a slight deiiection oi. the driver from a straight line is sufficient to cause it to vibrate or whip when rotated at the speed required for the honing operation. Such vibration, of course, makes it extremely difficult for the machine to nish the work with the high degree of accuracy and smoothness which is characteristic of the honing operation. An auxiliary support for overcoming the above fault, including a supporting member adapted to reciprocate with the head which carries the tool driver, is disclosed and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 138,127, led April 21, 1937, now Patent No. 2,163,604 granted June 27, 1939.

For honing external surfaces, the tool is equipped with inwardly facing abrasive stones adapted to encircle the work piece. Tools of this character-,are ordinarily carried on a supporting bridge which may be mounted either on the base of the machine or on a reciprocatory head, depending on which of the elements is to be reciprocated. In operation the work piece is ordinarily rotated, being mounted between centers in suitable head and tall stocks for this purpose. When the work piece is of substantial length, it requires additional support at one or more intermediate points for the same reasons as the elongated rotating tool driver. The provision of such supports is complicated, however, by the necessity of traversing the tool from one endkof the work piece to the other by relative reciprocation of the parts.

With the above in view, one object of the invention is to provide novel supporting means for honing or lapping machines oi the horizontal type which is universally adaptable for supporting an elongated rotatable element such 'as a tool driver or work piece at one or more intermediate points while the element and a cooperating member are relatively reciprocated to perform a honing or lapping operation. l

Another object is to provide in a honing ma/ chine, novel supporting means for an elongated rotatable element embodying one or more supporting devices of simple, rugged construction adapted to be mounted on the machine base and capable of being retracted transversely of the axis of the element, to permit the passage of a head or the like arranged for reciprocation on the base.

Another object is to provide a novel retractible support for an elongated element such as a tool driver or work piece having power operated means, preferably hydraulic, for moving the support between an active position in which it is eiiective to engage and support the element, and an inactive position in which it is withdrawn from the path of a reciprocating part.

Still another object is to provide in a honing machine having one or more retractible tool driver or work supports arranged in the reciprocatory path of a tool head or the like, a novel control means for automatically eilecting retraction of the supports in timed relation to the reciprocation of the head so as to etl'ectually avoid interfering with such reciprocation.

A more speciic object is to provide novel means for supporting an elongated work piece at an intermediate point or points `with means for automatically retracting the supporting means to permit relative traverse of a tool from one end of the work piece to the other.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view oi a horizontal internal honing machine embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. l showing the reciprocatory tool head in. end elevation.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of ille machine illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view, partly in section, showing details of the retractible support and the support operating means.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the work engaging xture constituting a part of the retractible support.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship of the mechanical and hydraulic operating and control elements of the machine.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of a horizontal external honing machine equipped with retractable supports in accordance with the invention.

While I have shown and will hereinafter describe the invention as applied to specic types of internal andexternal honing machines, it is to be understood that the. invention is not limited to use with the particular machines illustrated but may be incorporated in other types of machines. It is' also to be understood that various changes, modifications, and adaptations may be made in the form, construction and arrangement ofthe parts without departing from the spirit and scope ot' the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, the internal honing machine selected to illustrate the invention comprises generally an elongated base consisting of a main section I I and an outboard section I2 bolted or otherwise rigidly secured together in end-to-end relation. The outboard' section I2 constitutes a work` support and to this end is equipped with suitable adjustable fixtures I3 for holding a work piece W such as an elongated hollow tube or the like.

The main base section II is of hollow box-like construction and on its opposite'side walls are mounted spaced parallel guide bars I4 (Fig. 2) forming a generally horizontal guideway for a reciprocatory carriage or head I5. The head may be supported for reciprocation on the guideway in any suitable manner as by spool-shaped rollers I6 depending therefrom for cooperation with the respective guide bars I4.

The head I5 is herein shown as a flat generally rectangular casting having a spindle I'I journailed therein. The spindle extends substantially parallel to the reciprocatory path of the head and has secured to its forward end an elongated driver I8, usually of tubular construction, which carries on its free end a conventional expansible and contractible honing tool T for operating on the work piece W. The work piece, of course, is supported in axial alinement with the tool spindle so that the tool may be traversed axially through the work piece by reciprocation of the head. Rotation of the tool during such reciprocation is effected by a motor M mounted on the head and operatively connected with the spindle I1 by suitable gearing enclosed in a housing I9.

In the operation of the machine the rotating tool is traversed repeatedly from one end of the Work piece to the other by reciprocation of the head I5 on its guideway. In the particular machine illustrated. the means for effecting such reciprocation comprises a pair of flexible traction members, herein shown as cables 2| and 22, each connected at one end to the head and anchored at the other end to a grooved cable drum 23 rotatably supported at one end of the base section I I. The cable 2| leads direct to the cable drum while the cable 22 is carried over a sheave 24 rotatably supported at the other end of the main base section.

With the above arrangement, rotation of the cable drum 23 in one direction is effective to wind up the cable 22 and thus pull the head forwardly toward the work while rotation of the cable drum in the other direction winds up the cable 2| and pulls the headl back toward retracted position. In the exemplary machine rotation of the cable drum is effected by a reversible rotary hydraulic motor HIM (Figs. 3 and 6) to which pressure uid is supplied by a pump P driven by an electric motor M-I As will be seen by reference to Fig. 6, a reversing valve V of well known construction, is connected in a hydraulic circuit between the pump P and the hydraulic motor HM to control the direction of rotation of the motor. The reversing valve is operated hydraulically under control of a pilot valve V-I, the pilot valve in turn being operated as an incident to reciprocation of the head by control apparatus of well known form. This apparatus ordinarily includes a control rod 25 (Fig. 3) extending parallel to the reciprocatory path of the head I5 and having suitable limit stops S and S-I engageable by a stop engaging member 26 carried by the head.

In machines o1' the above general character, the tool driver is inherently supported at its extreme ends, in one instance by the spindle II and in the other by the Vwork piece or by a' tool rest 21 (Fig. i) arranged to receive the tool when withdrawn from the work.4 The present invention provides novel means for supporting the driver at one or more intermediate points to hold guideway so as to engage the driver at the desired intermediate points. It will be understood. of course, that the two supports are shown merely by way of illustration and that the number of supports installed in any particular machine is determined by the length of the driver of that machine.

The retractible supports 30 and 30' are of simllar construction in the present instance, and a description of one will therefore suiiice. For convenience of reference, the various elements of the support 30' are designated by the same reference characters as the correspondingparts of the support 30, the reference characters being distinguished lby the suix prima Referring to Fig. 4, the support 30 in its preferred form, comprises a rigid frame including a pair of vertical side rods 3l adapted to project through the plane of the guideway and carrying on their upper ends a Y-shaped member or driver engaging xture 32. The rods, as herein shown, are joined at their lower ends by a crosshead 33 to which the rods are pinned or other- Wise rigidly secured. Rotatably mount-ed on the respective arms of the member 32 with their axes parallel to the axis of the tool driver I8 are a pair of rollers 34 (Figs. 2 and 5) adapted to engage and support the driver I8 when the support is in its raised or active position.

In order to enable the frame and driver engaging fixture to be retracted below the plane of the guideway and thus from the path of the head so that the head may reciprocate, the side rods 3| of the frame are supported and guided for endwise sliding movement in suitable bearings 35 formed in a horizontal bed plate 36 extending across the base section below the guideway. The bed plate may be bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to the side walls of the base. The frame is thus movable vertically through the plane of the guideway between an active position in which the rollers 34 engage and support the driver |8 and an inactive position in which the frame and rollers are disposed below the lowermost part of the head. I

While any suitable power actuated means may be utilized for moving the support lbetween its active and inactive positions, the exemplary machine is equipped with pressure fluid actuated mechanism Afor performing this function. This mechanism as herein shown comprises a piston 31 working` in a vertically disposed cylinder 38 closed at its upper and lower ends respectively by cylinder heads 39 and 40. The cylinder is rigidly supported in any suitable manner on the bed plate 3G between the side rods 3| of the frame. A piston -rod 4| projecting through an aperture in the lower cylinder head 40 connects the piston 31 with the crosshead 33 of the frame so that the frame followsthe movements of the piston in the cylinder. Leakage of pressure uid around the piston rod is prevented by a conventional packing gland 42.

It is essential, of course. to locate the driver engaging fixture accurately when the support is moved to active position so thatl the driver will be held straight and true. In the particular form of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 4, this is accomplished by laterally projecting extensions 43 formed integrally with the cylinder 38 which are apertured to slidably receive the side rods 3|. These extensions serve as limit stops for determining the upper limit position of the fixture 32 by coacting with nuts 44 threaded on the respective side rods. The limit position of the support accordingly may be ouickly and easily adjusted by simply screwing the nuts up or down on the rods. The extensions 43 additionally assist the bearings 35 in guiding the frame in its vertical movement.

The support 38' is similar in all respects to the support 3|) and as shown in Fig. 6, includes side rods 3|', a driver engaging member or xture 32' and a crosshead 33. A cylinder 38' like the cylinder 38 is mounted in a vertical position between the side rods 3|' and its working piston 31' is connected by a piston rod 4| with the crosshead 33 of the support frame.

Pressure fluid for moving the pistons 3l and 31 up and down in their respective cylinders 38 and 38 is supplied to these cylinders through individual pressure fluid circuits connected to the regular pressure fluid system of the machine. Suitable reversing valves V-2 and V--3 are interposed in the respective circuits of the cylinders to control the introduction of pressure fluid thereto.

In order to coordinate the movements of the supports with the reciprocation of the head, the valves V--2 and V-3 are desirably arranged to be operated by the head in its reciprocatory movements. To this end the valves V--2 and V-3 are mounted on one side wall of the base section l I closely adjacent the reciprocatory path of the head.` The plunger of each valve is formed with an extension 46 having at its outer end a laterally projecting member or actuator 41, such as a roller, adapted to engage in a cam groove 48 formed in a plate 49 carried on a rigid arm 50 projecting from the head.

As will be seen by reference to Fig. 6, the shape of the cam groove 48 is such that the head in its forward movement is effective to shift the valve plungers downwardly whereby to direct pressure fluid into the upper ends of the cylinders 38 and 38 successively and thus withdraw the supports to their inactive position below the plane of the guideway and out of the path of the head. The valves and cam plate are relatively positioned so that this valve operation takes place in ample time to permit the support to move out f of the path of the head. On the return movement of the head, the cam groove 48 reengages the successive valve actuators and shifts the valve plungers to their upper positions in which they are eiiective to direct pressure uid into the lower ends of the cylinders 38 and 38' to move the supports to their active positions. In this way the supports are automatically retracted to inactive position in succession during the forward movement of the tool head and are successively reoperated in'the return movement of the head so that the tool driver is effectually supported at the intermediate points without interl fering with the reciprocation of the head.

Referring to Fig. 7, a typical horizontal external honing machine is shown equipped with retractible supports like those above described, but in this case arranged to support an elongated work piece intermediate its ends. The machine illustrated comprises an elongated generally rectangular base 5| having at one end an upstanding frame or housing 52 constituting a head stock. A suitable spindle journaled in the frame 52 is provided on its outer end with a conventional chuck 53 for holding one end of a work piece W-l such as a cylindrical shaft or tube whose external surface is to be dressed. In this particular machine the work piece is rotated by means of a motor M-2 arranged to drive the spindle and chuck 53 in any suitable manner. The other end of the work piece is supported on a center 54 carried in a. tailstock 55 of well known construction. As herein shown the tailq stock is slidably mounted on ways 56 formed on the side walls of the 'base 5| so that it can be readily positioned to accommodate work pieces of different length.

The surface of the work piece is dressed by reciprocating a conventional external honing tool T-i from one end of the work piece to the other while the work piece is rotated either continuously for honing or intermittently for lapping. To this end the tool is mounted on a carriage or head 51 supported by -spool-shaped rollers 58 for reciprocation of a horizontal guide- Way formed by spaced parallel guide bars 59 similar to the guide bars I4.

The mechanism for reciprocating the head 51 may be identical with that shown in Figs. 1 and 6 for reciprocating the head I5. This mechanism, as previously explained, comprises iiexible traction members 2| and 22 each connected at one end to the head and anchored at the other head to a power driven rotatable cable drum 23. The cable 2| leads directly to the drum 23 while the cable 22 is carried over a sheave 24 rotatably supported at the other end of the base 5|.

In order to prevent the work piece from sagging intermediate its ends, one or more retractible supports similar to those above described, are mounted on thev base 5| so that they may be moved into position to engage and support the work piece W-I at one or more intermediate points. While two of the supports are shown in the exemplary machine, it will be understood that the number installed is determined by the length of the work pieces to be handled by the machine. These supports are similar in all respects to the supports 30 and 30' previously described and are therefore designated by the same reference characters.

The operation of the retractible supports between active and inactive positions are controlled respectively by the valves V-Z and V--3 as hereinbefore explained. In the present instance. however, the means carried by the'head 51 for actuating the valves V-2 and V-3 comprises a pair of cam plates 6I and 62 carried respectively at the front and rear of the head for cooperation with the actuators 41 of the valves. The cam plate 6| is provided with a cam groove 63 adapted to shift the valve plungers downwardly in the forward movement of the head so that the supports will be retracted to allow the head to pass in its reciprocation. The cam plate 62 is provided with an oppositely inclined cam groove 64 which shifts the valve plunger back to its upper position afterthe head has passed the valve so that the support is raised to active position while the head continues its forward movement along the guideway.

The action of the cam plates is reversed on the return movement of the head, the cam plate 62 setting the valves to retract the supports, and cam plate 6I setting the valves to reoperate the supports after the head is passed. In this Way the supports are retracted momentarily while the head is passing and are then reoperated so that the work piece is adequately supported at all times.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the invention provides novel means for supporting an elongated rotating element such as the tool driver or a work piece to hold the element straight and true and thus eliminate vibration or whip." The supporting means includes one or more supports which, when held in an active position by power actuated means, engage and support the element at an intermediate point or points. Appropriate control apparatus is provided whereby the supports are retracted temporarily to allow the passage of a reciprocating member such as a tool head or the like.

The novel supporting means is particularly advantageous in horizontal honing or lapping machines and is universally adaptable for use in machines for dressing either external or internal surfaces. It enables such machines to dress work pieces of any length with a high degree of accuracy for roundness and straightness and to produce an extremely smooth, true surface finish thereon.

I'claim as my invention:

1. In a horizontal honing machine, in combination, an elongated base, a guideway extending longitudinally of the base, a head mounted for reciprocation on said guideway, said head having a spindle journaled therein, an elongated tool driver projecting forwardly from the spindle generally parallel to the reciprocatory path of the head, a support for the driver mounted on the base intermediate the ends of the guideway for movement in a substantially vertical plane, pressure fluid operated means for raising and lowering said support, and a valve operated by the head in its reciprocation on the guideway for controlling said pressure fluid operated means.

2. In a horizontal honing machine, in combination, an elongated base, a guideway extending longitudinally of the base, a head mounted for reciprocation on said guideway, said head having a spindle journaled therein, an elongated tool driver projecting forwardly from the spindle generally parallel to the reciprocatory path of the head, a support for the driver mounted on the base intermediate the ends of the guideway for movement in a substantially vertical plane. pressure fluid operated means for raising and lowering said support, a valve controlling said pressure fluid operated means, and valve operating means on said head operative in the movement of the head in one direction to set said valve for lowering the support and operative in the movement of the head in the other direction to set the valve for raising the support.

3. A horizontal honing machine having, in combination, a base, a guideway on said base, a head reciprocable on said guideway, said head having a rotatable tool driver projecting therefrom substantially parallel to the guideway, a support for the driver mounted on the base intermediate the ends of the guideway, and means operating in timed relation to the reciprocation of the head for raising and lowering said support.

4. A horizontal honing machine having, in combination, a base, a guideway on said base, a head reciprocable throughout substantially the entire length of said guideway, said head having a rotatable tool driver projecting therefrom substantially parallel to the guideway, a support for the driver mounted on the base intermediate the ends of the guideway for movement from an inactive position below the plane of the guideway to an active position above the plane of the guideway, said support engaging and supporting the driver in said active position, power operated means for moving the support between said positions, and a control device actuated in timed relation to the reciprocation of the head for controlling said power operated means.

5. A horizontal honing machine having, in combination, a base, a guideway on said base for a reciprocating head, a tool driver projecting from the head above the guideway, a retractlble support for said driver mounted on said base intermediate the ends of the guideway, said support normally projecting through the plane of the guideway to engage and support the driver, and means operating in timed relation to the reciprocation of the head for temporarily retracting the support below the plane of the guideway to allow the head to pass.

6. In a honing machine, in combination, a base, an elongated element supported at opposite ends in a substantially horizontal position above the base, a frame for supporting said element at a point intermediate its ends comprising, a pair of spaced parallel rods slidably supported on said base for movement toward and from the element, an element engaging member carried on the upper ends of said rods, a cross member connecting the lower ends of the rods, a cylinder mounted on the base between said members, a piston operating in said cylinder, a piston rod connecting the piston with the cross member of said frame for imparting the movements of the piston to the frame, and means for supplying pressure fluid to said cylinder to move the piston to either end of the cylinder.

7. In a honing machine, in combination, a. base,

an elongated element supported at opposite ends in a substantially horizontal position above the base, a frame for supporting said element at a point intermediate its ends comprising. a pair of spaced parallel rods slidably supported on said base for movement toward and from the element, an element engaging member carried on the upper ends of said rods, a cross member connecting the lower ends of the rods, a cylinder mounted on the base between said members, a piston operating in said cylinder, a piston rod connecting the piston with the cross member of said frame for imparting the movements of the piston to the frame, lateral extensions on said cylinder apertured to slidably receive said rods, and nuts threaded on said rods fdr cooperation with said extensions in determining the limit position of the element engaging member when the frame is moved toward the element by said piston.

8. In a honing machine, in combination, a base, a horizontal guideway on the base, a member reciprocable on the guideway, an elongated element supported at opposite ends above and substantially parallel to the guideway, means for supporting said element intermediate its ends comprising a support mounted on the base intermediate the ends of the guideway and projecting into the path of said member to engage the element', power actuated means for withdrawing said support from the path of said member, and a control device operated by the member in its reciprocation for initiating the operation of said powe: actuated means.

9. In a honing machine, in combination, a base, a, horizontal lguideway on the base, a member reciprocable on the guideway, an elongated element supported at opposite ends above and substantially parallel to the guideway, means for supporting said element intermediate its ends comprising a frame mounted on the base below and intermediate the ends of the guideway for movement through the plane of the guideway to engage and support said element, power actuated means for moving said frame, and control means for said power actuated means operative to eiect a temporary retraction of the frame below the plane of the guideway in timed relation to the reciprocation of said member to allow the member to pass. i

10. In a machine of the class described, in combination, an elongated base, a horizontal guideway on the base, means on the base for supporting a work piece at each end substantially parallel to the base, means for rotating the work piece, a tool head reciprocable on said guideway for operating on the work piece, means for supporting the work piece at a point intermediate its ends comprising a support mounted on the base -for movement from an inactive position below the guideway to an active position above theV guideway, said support engaging and supporting the work piece in said active position, power actuated means for holding the support in its active position, and control means for said power actuated means automatically operative to effect withdrawal of the support to its inactive position in timed relation to the reciprocation of said head to allow the head to pass.

11. In a machine of the class described, in combination, an elongated base, a horizontal guideway on the base, means on the base for supporting a work piece at each end substantially parallel to the base, means for rotating the work piece, a tool head reciprocable on said guideway for operating on the work piece, means for supporting the work piece at a point intermediate its ends comprising a frame mounted on the base for movement from an inactive position below the guideway to an active position above the guideway, a work engaging member on said frame operative to engage and support the work piece when the frame is in its active position, and power actuated means for holding the frame in its active position and operating automatically to temporarily retract the same to allow the head to pass in its reciprocation.

12.111 a machine of the class described, in combination, an elongated base, a horizontal guideway at the base, means on the base for supporting a work piece substantially parallel to the base, means for rotating the work piece, a tool head reciprocable on the guideway for operating on the work piece, means for supporting the work piece at a plurality of intermediate points comprising a like plurality of supports mounted on the base and spaced apart longitudinally of the guideway, each of said supports being movable independently from an inactive position below the guideway to an active position above the guideway in which it is effective to engage and support the work, and power actuated means for moving the supports betweenactive and inactive positions operating in timed relation to the reciprocation of the head.

13. In a machine of the class described, in combination, an elongated base, a horizontal guideway at the base, means on the base for supporting a, work piece substantially parallel to the base, means for rotating the work piece, a tool head reciprocable on the guideway for operating on the work piece, means for supporting the work piece at a plurality of intermediate points comprising a like plurality of supports mounted on the base and spaced apart longitudinally of the guideway, each of said supports being movable independently from an inactive position below Y the guideway to-an active position above the guideway in which it is disposed in the path of said head and effective to engage and support the work, pressure fluid operated means normally acting to hold said supports in their active positions, and control means for said pressure iiuid operated means operative to effect a temporary withdrawal of the supports to their inactive positions in timed relation to the reciprocation of the head to allow the head to pass.

14. In a machine of the class described, in combination, an elongated base, a horizontal guideway at the base, means on the base for supporting a work piece substantially parallel to the base, means for rotating the work piece, a tool head reciprocable on the guideway for operating on the work piece, means for supporting the work piece at a plurality of intermediate points comprising a like plurality of supports mounted on the base and spaced apart longitudinally of the guideway, each of said supports being movable independently from an inactive position below the guideway to an active position above the guideway in which it is eiective to engage and support the work, pressure fluid operated means individual to each support for moving the support between active and inactive positions, a control valve for each pressure fluid operated means, and valve actuating means carried by the head and operative in its reciprocation to effect a temporary withdrawal of each support to its inactive position during the interval the head is passing that support.

support the member at a point intermediate its ends, power actuated means for withdrawing said device from the-path of the reciprocatory support, and means for timing the withdrawal of said device with respect to the movements of the reciprocatory support including control mechanism operated by the support in its reciprocation. ALBERT M. JOHNSON. 

